UFC 166 Preview: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III

UFC 166 takes place on October 19, 2013, from Houston Texas. The main event is a heavyweight championship fight between champ Cain Velasquez, and the challenger, Junior Dos Santos.

Velasquez vs Dos Santos III Trailer

This is the third meeting between the two heavyweight phenoms. Both fighters have outstanding fight records, each with only one loss that they gave to each other. Velasquez lost the title to Dos Santos at UFC on Fox 1, November of 2011. Dos Santos lost the title back to Velasquez in the rematch at UFC 155, December 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMCs4Yrxhgk

Cain Velasquez UFC 166 Pre-Fight Interview

After losing the belt to Dos Santos in the first fight, many were saying that Cain’s long layoff after capturing the title from Brock Lesnar was the reason he lost that fight. Velasquez is known for his intensity and high octane pace in the ring and many fans and critics say that he just did not have it when he fought Junior.

This was his first time facing defeat in the Octagon, but once it was over he seemed primed to get back into form. This was highly evident in his next fight against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at UFC 146. He dominated Bigfoot from the opening bell, taking him down and smashing him with punches and elbows until finally the ref had to stop the fight.

He brought that same intensity into the rematch with Dos Santos at UFC 155. He was relentless throughout all 5 rounds, dominating Dos Santos like no one had done before him. He once again captured the heavyweight belt by unanimous decision. He looked once again like the Cain Velasquez who had dominated everyone he came in contact with in the heavyweight division. After another devastating KO of “Bigfoot” Silva in their rematch at UFC 160, Cain looks like he’s not ready to give the heavyweight belt up anytime soon.

Junior Dos Santos UFC 166 Pre Fight Interview

After becoming the first man to finish Cain Velasquez, Junior Dos Santos was on top of the world after an extremely impressive and undefeated run at heavyweight. He defeated a who’s who of UFC fighters including Mirko Cro Cop, Fabricio Werdum, Roy Nelson, Shane Carwin, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Stephan Struve.

His first title defense came against MMA veteran Frank Mir at UFC 146. Dos Santos looked ultra impressive in his first defense, finishing Mir by KO in the 2nd round. He would then fight the man he previously beat for the title, Cain Velasquez, at UFC 155. Velasquez reclaimed the title somewhat effortlessly, dominating Dos Santos for 5 rounds. Many people were saying that the “real” Cain Velasquez showed up for this fight. Dos Santos did not agree with that statement.

Dos Santos got right back in the saddle and defeated Mark Hunt with a hard fought and impressive KO victory at UFC 160, on the exact same card that featured Velasquez vs. Silva II. He ended the fight with an exciting spinning back kick that dropped Hunt to the canvas. This was a technique that we had not seen Dos Santos use before, and I believe he wanted to make a huge statement to the world that he was ready to fight Velasquez for the title once again.

UFC Primetime: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III

Well the statement has been made, and they are ready to do battle once again in what may be considered to be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history. Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos III for the heavyweight belt, October 19, 2014.